CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A former Chula Vista elementary school teacher was convicted Wednesday of molesting four boys, including a former student.
John Raymond Kinloch, 43, was convicted of 33 charges involving four boys. Jurors acquitted him of charges relating to a fifth boy. Kinloch faces more than 400 years in prison when he is sentenced July 24.
“Based on the verdicts and the nature of the evidence it’s very clear that the jury deliberated carefully methodically and gave careful consideration,” said Harrison Kennedy, Deputy District Attorney.
A teacher at Wolf Canyon Elementary, Kinloch was arrested in November 2012 after agents from the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched his home in San Ysidro.
Kinloch was released on bail but re-arrested a week later after an investigation allegedly showed that the defendant, while posing as a girl on a website called “MeetMe,” persuaded boys to disrobe during live one-on-one webcam interactions, according to San Diego police.
Kinloch was originally charged with molesting one former student, but that number grew to five boys as alleged victims came forward, according to authorities.
“We pretty much knew there were going to be a lot of guilty verdicts today,” said Kerry Armstrong, Defense Attorney.
Armstrong said though disappointed, his client is looking ahead to the appeal.
“I think he pretty much knew what was going to happen today,” said Armstrong.
This is the first case in California History where someone has been charged and convicted of molestation via the internet. Armstrong said he and jurors he spoke with saw problems with timing in the crime when it came to one of the victims.
“They believe there were screen shots, but there was no coinciding text messages to compare when the photos were actually sent or if they were sent,” said Armstrong.
He said it’s on this, he’s already planning his case for appeal.
“There has to be a joint operation between the intent and the act, I don’t think they can properly show it,” said Armstrong.
